Method and Apparatus Utilizing a Height Gauge for Minimizing Water from Being Wasted in Toilets

ABSTRACT

One of several embodiments (FIG.  1 ) is shown consisting of a scale apparatus, such as a height gauge ( 80 ), utilized together with toilet manufacturer&#39;s and engineering data, which is based on toilet design and product specifications, test results and the like, so to create water conservation opportunities. Reference data is constructed to assist the consumer in properly setting up the tank water level ( 70 ) in toilets, commodes, water closets and other such devices, by way of utilizing instructions and a height gauge ( 80 ) or the like. The embodiment sufficiently prevents the over-filling of water within the toilet tank ( 50 ), prevents the subsequent wasting of excess water into the sewer, and promotes saving on the cost of water due to the lack of water height setup awareness in toilets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefits of provisional patent application Ser.No. 61/186,868, filed 2009 Jun. 14 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND Field

This application relates to height apparatus, such as height gauges(hand held scales, scales mounted upon a base or with side attachingassist(s), scale-type decal(s), scale-like features marked on toiletcomponents, scale-like features molded in-place on toilet components,and the like), utilized together with innovative methods, such asengineered look-up tables, charts, graphs, and the like, based onmanufacturer design and product specifications, test results and otherknowledge-based data, so to create water conservation opportunities intoilets. Reference data in the tables, charts, graphs, and the like, aredesigned to assist the consumer in properly setting up the tank waterlevel in toilets, commodes, water closets and other such devices, by wayof utilizing instructions and height apparatus, such as a height gaugeor other such device. The embodiments sufficiently prevent theover-filling of water within the toilet tank, prevent the subsequentwasting of excess water into the sewer, and promotes saving on the costof water due to the lack of water height setup awareness.

Several Terms Identified

In all aspects and contexts of this writing, terms for linearmeasurement tools such as the words gauge(s), scale(s), ruler(s) and thelike shall have equivalent meanings and shall be used interchangeably.Likewise terms for data containment tools such as the words look-uptable(s), table(s), chart(s), graph(s), and the like shall haveequivalent meanings and shall be used interchangeably. References to theterms toilet(s), water closet(s) and commode(s) used individually inthis writing shall have the same meaning as the terms used together,unless otherwise noted.

Prior Art

While I am aware of prior methods in the toilet industry, afterperforming an extensive patent and product search, I am unaware of anyprior art that addresses the ability to inadvertently setup the toilettank water to sufficiently incorrect levels. With that in mind, I amgoing to take time developing the nature of a problem that is at theheart of the embodiments of this writing.

In the industry, toilets have evolved over time from the older non-ultralow flush (non-ULF) to the modern ultra low flush (ULF) water models,with many stages and versions in between. In a two-year observation anddata gathering effort, the “Residential End Uses of Water” study waspublished in 1999, jointly by the American Water Works AssociationResearch Foundation, and Aquacraft, Inc. One segment of thecomprehensive study looked at water consumption in toilets, andidentified that 14.5% of flushes were less than 2.0 GPF, 34.7% offlushes were between 2.0 and 3.5 GPF, and 50.8% of flushes were greaterthan 4.0 GPF. Further breaking down the statistics, 8.5% of homesstudied used ULF toilets almost exclusively (less than 2.0 GPF), 26.2%of homes studied had a mixture of ULF and non-ULF toilets, and 65.3% ofhomes studied used non-ULF toilets almost exclusively. The studyindicates that while there have been efforts made to improve the overallefficiency of toilets going forward with the advent of ULF toilettechnology, overwhelming opportunities are yet to be realized withexisting non-ULF toilets and their inefficiencies, found primarily aspart of older, existing homes. Additionally, there are several otherfactors that were not included in the above study that impacts toiletwater usage in households, regardless of whether the households utilizeold or new toilet designs, that being:

-   -   1) in-coming water pressure from public or private water        sources,    -   2) after-market toilet add-ons or modifications that incorporate        upgrades over time, such as modern toilet fill valves replacing        less efficient older fill valves, improved flapper valves, etc.,        and    -   3) varying pipe, tube or orifice sizes such as those within        supply lines, discharge and drainage lines, toilet bowl fill        tubes, and the like.        The study results cited along with my personal observations        suggest that there are several opportunities for toilet water        conservation that exist, the greatest of which are those that        can be achieved by focusing on the several parameters that are        in common with all toilet types, styles and designs. Framed this        way, the opportunities identified would be magnified by their        application cutting across the largest number of toilet designs        and models available. With this in mind, the first focus was the        identification of the greatest in-common toilet water        conservation opportunities, and the second focus was directed at        concentrating on the least efficient, non-ULF toilet versions        available. These are the methodologies used in the development        of the embodiments that will later follow.

Some areas within the study observation although raised questions. Anarea not mentioned was that of whether the parameters observed duringthe study involved any observer checking to see if the toilet tank waterlevels were setup properly to fit the manufacturer's design and modelspecifications. An example, were there any glaring mistakes thathomeowners were making with their water using appliances, such thatimproper setup resulted in overstated water results? As part of thestudy reporting, a comment should have been made whether the waterlevels in the toilet tank were in fact setup properly or improperly.Why? Even the most efficient toilets can operate inefficiently, if theyare not set to the manufacturer specifications. This understanding hasbearing and relevance in the development of my embodiments.

The industry for consumer home products has a wide array of companiesthat participate selling many versions of the same product. Over time,this has proven itself to be true in the production of toilet appliancesby many well-established companies and an influx of new companies, bothinside the US and across the world. To further complicate matters, withthe high costs and growing shortages of treated fresh water, new toiletappliances have been designed with the goal of low water consumption;this desirable trend will likely continue. Presently, the capacity andwater requirements for toilet systems, commonly use somewhere between1.6 to 5 gallons per flush from newer to older models respectively.Additionally, toilet tank shapes and profiles vary widely, ranging fromstandard versions to fully designer models. With these complications andthe lack of available good information for new and used homebuyers, therisk of consumer confusion is quite high stemming from the maze ofpossibilities, and the need for frequently guessing to establish thecorrect toilet tank water level. For example, a decade or two ago,during an age of more simplicity and design standardization, it wascommonplace for a manufacturer to mark the inside of the toilet tankduring the manufacturing process to indicate the design or recommendedwater level. Similarly, toilet tank overflow tube manufacturers placed amark on the tube, indicating the correct height to which toilet tankwater levels should be adjusted. Not coincidentally, the two markssufficiently matched due to a higher level of toilet and toiletcomponent standardization during those simpler times. Presently, neithertoilet tanks nor replacement fill tubes reliably have water levelreference marks on them in order to determine the correct water heightin the toilet tank. In today's environment, this is commonly understoodto those in the art, but to what extent does this contribute to theproblem of wasted water? It just so happened that my experiencesseemingly provide an answer, and to date I have not found an instance ofprior art that addresses the problem.

Following the purchase of a modern 3 year old Florida home, built andoptioned with a high level of energy efficient appliances, I noticedthat both high efficiency toilets had a problem. On occasion shouldthere be a clog, the toilet would revert to quickly flooding the floor.Not having the time to fully scope out the problem, a temporary but poorsolution was to flush the toilet multiple times during its use for solidwaste removal, trading wasted water for the avoidance of a toiletoverflowing. I also noticed that during the flushing process, regardlessof whether the toilet bowl had waste in it or not, the toilet bowl wouldrefill and empty repeatedly, often 2 to 3 times, before finally endingthe flushing cycle. Something was wrong, I had two modern toilets andthey both had the same problem. With both toilets visibly labeled as 1.6gallon per flush high efficiency models, they seemed to be anything buthighly efficient. Being a professional engineer and having a backgroundin residential home construction and remodeling, having built andrenovated several houses, this problem seemed fixable.

I eventually removed the tank lid, and observed the water level. Myfirst inclination was not to focus on it being a 1.6 GPF (gallons perflush) model, but to understand why the toilet had problems. There wereno markings on the inner walls of the toilet tank but the overflow tubedid have a label indicating a water level. The level was marked to be ½″below the very top of the overflow tube, to which the water level wasadjusted by the prior owner. Both of the toilets had overflow tubemarkings, and both were adjusted to the same level. Being a majorwell-known toilet manufacturer per the label on the toilet bowl, themanufacturer's rated toilet water efficiency was also stated to be 1.6GPF. Then it dawned on me; visually, there was a lot more water in thetoilet tank as compared to a 1.6 GPF manufacturer specification. Ieventually flushed all of the water out of the tank with the water shutoff. I measured 1.6 gallons, and manually poured the water back into thetank. The water only filled the tank to about ½ of the prior waterlevel. I eventually pulled the entire toilet and tank out of the room,provided water supply, flushed and caught all of the water in a largepail, then recorded the amount. I was using about 3 gallons per flush ina 1.6 gallon rated toilet model. I adjusted the toilet fill valvesettings until I achieved 1.6 GPF, the marked the tank and overflowtube. After reinstalling the tank assembly back into the bathroom, Ireset the float to my new marks on the tank, and ran a small experiment.After purposely creating a clog, there was no sign of toilet bowloverflowing. Furthermore after many cycles, the multiple flush phenomenahad also disappeared. Both toilets had the same results. It then becameabundantly clear that when toilet manufacturers don't mark their toilettanks or tank components to indicate the correct design water levels inorder to achieve their 1.6 GPF claims, then they place the consumer atrisk of guessing to adjust the toilet tank water level, with a highlikelihood of needlessly wasting water. Additionally, standard overflowtubes that are marked with water level indicators, can also be used onhigh or low water use toilets, and thus are unreliable. In fact, myresearch has showed that many manufactures no longer mark their overflowtubes with water level indicators. Under a worst case but realisticscenario, over-filling of tanks in many toilets is highly likely, andcould be responsible for up to doubling the amount of water needed tofunction properly at the original manufacturer's design water levels. Inow know that I was wasting a large amount of toilet water, based on theway that the former owner had adjusted the toilet tank water levels. OurFlorida home in this example was a second residence, so we endured thiswasteful inconvenience for 10 years before performing the toilet waterover-filling experiment that was described after having converted thishome to our primary residence.

It is clear, regardless of the toilet style, manufacturer, and theinternal components used, that there is a need for a reliable method tocommunicate and apply the original manufacturer's toilet designspecifications for water usage and efficiency. This is the basis for theembodiments that follow, and an approach to communicate to the consumerthe design parameters for toilet tank water level height as designed andtested by the manufacturer as available.

ADVANTAGES

The need for a method and apparatus that sufficiently minimizes thewater being wasted from over-filling the toilet tank and that offerssimplicity, reliability and sufficient low cost is evident anddesirable. The embodiments of this writing offer these benefits and moreto consumers. I am aware of prior methods and practices in the toiletindustry, but I am unaware of any prior art that addresses the abilityto inadvertently setup the toilet tank water to sufficiently incorrectlevels.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the embodiments and specifications being disclosed,several methods and apparatus are described for minimizing water frombeing wasted within a toilet.

DRAWINGS Figures

The objects and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent fromthe following description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. For simplicity, like reference numerals within the severaldrawings shown designate functionally similar components, which may ormay not be dimensionally identical. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale. Drawing descriptions follow:

FIG. 1 is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilet tankmembers interfacing with apparatus consisting of a height gauge with amounting base;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 1 consisting of aheight gauge with a mounting base;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 1 consisting of aheight gauge with a suction mounting base;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 2 or 3 consistingof a height gauge with mounting base and an adjustable pointer;

FIG. 5 is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilet tankmembers interfacing with apparatus consisting of a height gauge withsuction cups for mounting on the walls of a tank;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 5 consisting of aheight gauge with suction cups for mounting;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the same embodiment as in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 6 consisting of aheight gauge with suction cups for mounting and an adjustable pointer;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the same embodiment as in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilettank members interfacing with apparatus consisting of a height gauge;

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 10 consisting of aheight gauge;

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 11 consisting of aheight gauge with an adjustable pointer;

FIG. 13 is a front cutaway view of a toilet tank assembly and toilettank members interfacing with apparatus consisting of an overflow tube,or other such toilet tank member, modified to incorporate a heightgauge;

FIG. 14 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 13 consisting ofan overflow tube, or other such toilet tank member, modified toincorporate a height gauge; and

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an embodiment of FIG. 14 consisting ofan overflow tube, other such toilet tank member, modified to incorporateheight gauge with an adjustable pointer.

DRAWINGS Reference Numerals

-   -   10 toilet fill valve(s)    -   20 overflow tube(s)    -   30 flapper valve(s)    -   40 flush lever    -   50 toilet tank    -   60 toilet tank floor    -   65 toilet tank wall    -   70 water level    -   80 height gauge(s), scale(s), and the like    -   90 mounting base(s)    -   100 suction cup(s)    -   110 suction mounting base(s)    -   120 water height adjustment setting(s)    -   130 adhesive-backed scale(s) (decal, sticker, label, and the        like)    -   140 overflow tube with integrated scale    -   150 bar element(s), such as a pointer(s), and the like

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 and 2—First Embodiment

Embodiments utilizing a height gage 80 for minimizing water from beingwasted in toilets are shown in FIG. 1 (front cutaway view). The viewfurther shows a toilet tank 50 with a toilet fill valve 10, an overflowtube 20, a flapper valve 30 and a flush lever 40 that are used togetherfor managing water functions within the toilet tank 50, including thewater level 70. The height gauge 80, which will be described in furtherdetail below, sufficiently rests on the toilet tank floor 60.

FIG. 2 (front view) shows the first embodiment that I contemplate to bethe height gauge 80 held by a mounting base 90, which has water heightadjustment settings 120 displayed on the body of the device. Waterheight adjustment settings 120 are referenced to engineered look-uptables (not shown), constructed, and based on specification and testdata, gathered from: 1) toilet manufacturer's design and productspecifications, 2) test results, and 3) other knowledge-based data, inorder to establish a sufficiently accurate water level 70 that is basedon the manufacturer's design parameters for their toilet models, styles,flush rates, capacities, and etc. Finding the data in the look-up tablethat describes the consumer's toilet manufacturer, model, flush rate,etc. and locating the respective value for the recommended water level70, allows the consumer to target a value on the height gauge 80, inorder to re-adjust the toilet fill valve 10 for sufficiently correctwater levels 70 as required. Utilizing the method and apparatus of thisembodiment assists the consumer in properly setting up the toilet tankwater level 70 so to achieve water conservation by sufficientlyminimizing the over-filling of water within the toilet tank 50 andminimizing water wasted into the sewer. This embodiment sufficientlyprovides tools and educates the consumer, improves toilet water designheight awareness, reduces water consumption, and reduces the total costof water.

OPERATION FIGS. 1 and 2—First Embodiment

In the normal operation of a toilet during the flush cycle, activatingthe toilet tank flush lever 40 raises the flapper valve 60 and allowswater to discharge until the toilet tank 50 is sufficiently emptied.Early in the flush cycle, the toilet fill valve 10 opens allowing mostof the replenishing water to enter the toilet tank 50 and continuesreplenishing until the flapper valve 30 has closed and the toilet fillvalve 10 has shut off, completing the flush cycle. During the flushcycle, if the toilet tank water level 70 is setup incorrectly high, theover-filling water can create multiple flushes, can potentially overflowonto the floor, can be wasted into the sewer, and can lead to needlesslyhigh water cost and poor water conservation.

The first embodiment requires the consumer to:

-   -   1) identify the toilet manufacturer's name, model, and other        information as required,    -   2) cross-reference the manufacturer's toilet information, or        other engineered values, identified above within the look-up        table so to find a table value representing the recommended        design setting for the toilet tank water level 70,    -   3) place the anticipated height gauge 80 into the toilet tank        50, so to rest on the toilet tank floor 60,    -   4) change the toilet tank water level 70 as required by        adjusting the toilet fill valve 10 so that the valve closes when        the toilet tank water level 70 reaches the look-up table value        found on the height gauge 80.        Utilizing the first embodiment effectively adjusts the toilet        tank water level 70 to match the manufacturer's design, or other        engineered, water level in order to achieve the benefits        described previously.

FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13 and 14 Additional Embodiments

A plurality of variations exist that will become obvious to thosefamiliar with the art upon review of the embodiments described in thiswriting. Several additional embodiments that offer the benefits of thefirst embodiment will be described below, albeit more briefly:

-   -   1) FIGS. 1 and 3 show a second embodiment that is similar to the        first embodiment. One difference is that the height gauge 80 is        designed to include a suction mounting base 110 with a suction        cup 100 or the like, at the bottom of the height gauge 80 for        mounting to the toilet tank floor 60. The second embodiment's        operation and benefits are sufficiently similar to that of the        first embodiment;    -   2) FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show a third embodiment that is similar to        the first embodiment. One difference is that the height gauge 80        is designed to include two suction cups 100 or the like, mounted        on the backside of the height gauge 80 to facilitate mounting to        the toilet tank wall 65. The third embodiment's operation and        benefits are sufficiently similar to that of the first        embodiment;    -   3) FIGS. 10 and 11 show fourth and fifth embodiments that are        similar to the first embodiment. One difference of the fourth        embodiment is that the height gauge 80 is designed to be hand        held or to lean against the toilet tank wall 65. One difference        of the fifth embodiment is that the height gauge 80 is designed        to be adhesively attached, such as an adhesive-backed scale,        decal, sticker, label, and the like 130, to the toilet tank wall        65. The fourth and fifth embodiment's operation and benefits are        sufficiently similar to that of the first embodiment;    -   4) FIGS. 13 and 14 show sixth and seventh embodiments that are        sufficiently similar to the first embodiment. A major difference        of the sixth embodiment is that the height gauge 80 is        incorporated into the overflow tube 20, such as by molding,        machining, and the like, or similarly is incorporated into any        other suitable toilet tank component, such as the toilet fill        valve 10, and the like. A major difference of the seventh        embodiment is that the height gauge 80 is designed to be        adhesively attached, such as an adhesive-backed scale, decal,        sticker, label, and the like 130, to the overflow tube 20 or        similar tank component. The sixth and seventh embodiment's        operation and benefits are sufficiently similar to that of the        first embodiment.    -   5) FIGS. 4, 8, 9, 12 and 15 show complementary embodiments that        have a bar element(s) 150 that can be incorporated into each of        the embodiments previously described. While I contemplate the        bar element 150 to be a pointer 150, other such devices perform        equally well. The pointer 150 sufficiently incorporates into the        height gauge 80, improves the highlighting of the water height        adjustment setting 120 on the height gauge 80, and may provide        movement on the height gauge 80, so to facilitate the consumer's        ease or use. The operation of the pointer embodiment involves        moving the location of the pointer 150 to the recommended water        height setting on the height gauge 80 that was determined by        referencing the engineered look-up table (not shown) as        described in the first embodiment. The pointer is a convenience        and not a requirement of any of the previous mentioned        embodiments. Once the pointer 150 is set properly, there may be        less need for further referencing of the engineered look-up        table.        Upon reading these embodiments, it will become obvious to those        familiar with the art that there are a plurality of other        embodiments that are also capable of determining the proper        toilet tank water level 70 so to improve water usage and        minimize water waste.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

The need for a simple, safe, and effective method and apparatus thatoffers low cost and reliable knowledge-based solutions, whilesufficiently minimizing toilet tank water over-filling and waste in newand old toilet installations, is known in the history of the toiletindustry. While I am aware of these methods, after performing anextensive patent and product search, I am unaware of any prior art orcommercially available products that address the ability toinadvertently setup the toilet tank water to sufficiently incorrectlevels.

The embodiments in this writing, utilize research and data gathering,and height gauge methods and apparatus that are applied to new and oldtoilet systems of every make, model and style to sufficiently minimizetank water waste from over-filling. The embodiments offer to consumersthe benefits of efficient, inexpensive, and simple toilet devices toachieve water conservation and cost savings.

Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of my method andapparatus, utilizing a height gauge or other such devices for minimizingwater from being wasted in toilets, provides consumers meaningful waterconservation solutions for new and old toilet systems.

While the above descriptions contain much specificity, they should notbe construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as anexemplification of one or more preferred embodiment(s) thereof. It isclear that other variations are possible. For example:

-   -   1) instead of using a height gauge referenced to a look-up        table, the gauge could be a tape measure, a ruler or any other        type of scale-type device that is also so referenced,    -   2) instead of using an adhesive-backed scale, decal, sticker,        label, and the like, to display water height adjustment setting        information to toilet tank walls or components, the scale,        decal, sticker, label, and the like, could be glued with a        liquid, secured with a tape, and the like, and    -   3) instead of manufacturing and commercializing any of the        embodiments described, it would become obvious to those familiar        in the art that upon review of the embodiments of this writing,        that they would be able to create the instructions for how to        make the embodiments, or their likenesses, so to be sold as        tutorials and instructions for the handyman or consumer's direct        use.

Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodimentsillustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

1. A method for minimizing water from being wasted within a toilet. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein said toilet has a toilet tank togetherhaving means for holding members, comprising: a) providing said waterwherein having means for attaining a plurality of levels, comprising: a.providing a plurality of over-filling levels that are wasteful, and b.providing sufficiently correct levels that are not sufficientlywasteful, and b) providing tank components, comprising: a. providing atoilet fill valve wherein having means for achieving a plurality ofwater levels by adding said water to said tank, comprising: i) providinga plurality of over-filling levels that are wasteful, and ii) providingsufficiently correct levels that are not sufficiently wasteful, and b.providing a scale, such as a height gauge, wherein having a first meansfor being indexed, and having a second means for being referenced. 3.The method of claim 1 wherein having means for gathering toilet data,comprising: a) providing toilet tank water height specification datathat is sufficiently accurate, b) providing toilet tank water heighttest data that is sufficiently accurate, c) providing a look-up tablehaving a first means for recording said data and a second means forreferencing said data, wherein having means for consolidating, recordingand referencing said specification and said test data into said look-uptable, thereby providing a recommended setting from said look-up tablebased on said toilet tank water height data that is sufficientlyaccurate, and wherein having means for sufficiently researching andincorporating said specification and test data from manufacturers withinthe toilet industry, thereby creating said look-up table that issufficiently comprehensive.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein havingmeans for providing several steps to achieve said sufficiently correctwater level in said toilet tank, including: a) referencing saidrecommended setting from said look-up table, b) transferring as areference said recommended setting to said scale, c) referring to saidscale for a recommended water height setting, d) adjusting said toiletfill valve setting, from said plurality of over-filling levels that arewasteful to said sufficiently correct levels that are not sufficientlywasteful, by utilizing said recommended water height setting on saidscale, and wherein said scale and toilet fill valve having means forsufficiently being coordinated, thereby achieving said sufficientlycorrect water level in said toilet tank that is not sufficientlywasteful.
 5. The method of claim 1 providing a bar element whereinhaving a first means for incorporating into said scale, a second meansfor highlighting said scale, and a third means for movement on saidscale.